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Nicoya Peninsula

Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste and Puntarenas provs., W Costa Rica, separating the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of Nicoya. About 75 mi (120 km) long and 19–37 mi (30–60 km) wide, it is Costa Rica's largest peninsula. The Pacific coast possesses many fine beaches and is a popular resort area. The town of Nicoya, probably the first Spanish settlement (c.1530) in Costa Rica, is a transportation and commercial center for the peninsula. The peninsula is linked to the mainland by highway and by ferry.